The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the 2025 National League Championship Series with a nail-biting 2–1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Veteran ace Blake Snell absolutely dazzled, shutting down Milwaukee’s offense for eight innings.
Snell set the tone for the series and handed the Dodgers an early edge. Now, they hit the road up 1–0, feeling that first punch of momentum.
This game had it all—elite pitching, clutch hitting, and some wild defensive moments. If this is just the opener, the rest of the NLCS could be a rollercoaster.
Blake Snell’s Historic Dominance
Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, delivered one of his finest postseason outings in years. The lefty gave up just one hit, struck out 10, and didn’t walk anybody across eight innings.
The only Milwaukee batter to reach base was Caleb Durbin in the third, but Snell picked him off almost instantly. That erased the Brewers’ only real threat while Snell was on the mound.
Command and Control at Its Finest
From his first pitch, Snell’s command looked razor-sharp. He mixed speeds, worked both sides of the plate, and made Milwaukee’s power bats look uncomfortable.
This wasn’t just good pitching—it was domination. Nights like this are why Snell’s playoff reputation keeps growing.
A Ninth-Inning Scare
Even with Snell’s brilliance, the ninth inning got dicey. Rookie phenom Roki Sasaki came in for the save but ran into trouble right away.
Nerves, big swings, and a bit of chaos led to a run and suddenly, the Brewers had the bases loaded. Dodger Stadium got quiet real quick.
Treinen Slams the Door
The Dodgers called on postseason veteran Blake Treinen. With the game hanging in the balance, Treinen faced Brice Turang and delivered a perfectly placed strikeout.
The Dodgers escaped, 2–1, and Snell’s gem stayed intact. That final out felt huge.
Offensive Highlights in a Pitcher’s Duel
Runs were tough to come by. Both teams leaned hard on their pitching depth, and the scoreboard barely budged.
In the sixth, Freddie Freeman broke the silence with a solo home run. That shot lit up the Dodgers’ dugout and put Milwaukee on their heels.
Betts Provides Crucial Insurance
The Dodgers scraped together a second run in the ninth. After an intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts showed patience and drew a bases-loaded walk.
That little bit of insurance mattered. The Brewers’ late push made every run count.
Brewers’ Bullpen & Defensive Brilliance
Milwaukee’s bullpen quietly did their job, using six pitchers to hold the Dodgers to two runs on seven hits. Their steady work kept things close and gave the Brewers a fighting chance.
The Double Play That Stunned Dodger Stadium
In the fourth, Milwaukee turned a jaw-dropping double play. A ricochet off the center field wall got fielded cleanly and relayed home, cutting down multiple scoring chances.
That play was a reminder: the Brewers’ defense isn’t going anywhere. If they keep flashing leather like that, this series could get wild.
Series Impact and Game 2 Outlook
Game 1’s in the books. The Dodgers move forward with momentum and home-field advantage.
Snell’s performance gave Los Angeles control. He also sent a message to Milwaukee’s hitters—they’ll need to adjust fast.
- Dodgers’ Key Strength: Elite starting pitching led by Blake Snell.
- Brewers’ Positive Sign: Bullpen depth capable of keeping games tight.
- Turning Point: Freddie Freeman’s solo homer sparked the offense.
- Clutch Moment: Treinen struck out Brice Turang in the ninth inning.
The series now heads to Milwaukee for Game 2. People are wondering how the Brewers will respond to Snell’s dominance.
The Dodgers want to build on their lead. They’re eyeing a return to the World Series.
With pitching like this, fans might be in for a tense, high-quality series. You can almost feel the pressure already.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: Dodgers vs. Brewers lineups, news, live updates for Game 1 of the NLCS
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